Mato Grosso

Waterfalls, more jungles and the geodesic centre of South America

16.02.2010

02/02/10 - 07/02/10 - Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Surreall moment>>>Trying to chat up a stunning Brazilian woman via an interpreter, all my wit, humour and charm getting lost in translation...

The last stop on my epic(!) journey through Latin America is Cuiaba the capital of Mato Grosso State. We are staying with Michael's friend Gary's Brazillian wife and her family. They are very wolcoming and drive us around for the whole time.

On the efirst day we visit Chapada dos Guimarães. Chapada dos Guimarães is a county and a mountain range located in central Brazil, 62 km from the city of Cuiaba. This range is surrounded by Brazilian savannas (also known as cerrado) and the Amazon rainforest. We travelled there to see the wildlife, waterfalls and canyons in the area. The views are breath-taking.

On the second day we visit Pantanal. The Pantanal is a tropical wetland and the world's largest wetland of any kind. It lies mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul but extends into Mato Grosso as well as into portions of Bolivia and Paraguay, sprawling over an area estimated at between 140,000 sq km and 195,000 sq km. The Panatanal has few people and no towns. We take the only road that runs deep into the Pantanal: the Transpantaneira. The wildlife here is amazing and the sheer number of birds we see is amazing. We also spot families of monkeys, caimans and many other animals too numerous to mention. My only regret about visitng Pantanal is that I won't get to stay longer.

On the third day we visit Nobres which has a river with crystal-clear water perfect for snorkelling and watching fish. It's a bit underwhelming to be honest as the fish are all the same but maybe I've been spoiled by all the amazing places I've been already.

On the fourth day in Cuiaba we have a party Brazilian style: chaotic. I get hammered.

Chapada dos Guimarães

Guava tree

There are many cliffs, canyons and beautiful waterfalls in Chapada dos Guimarães.
Véu de Noiva waterfall in Chapada dos Guimarães.

Me twatting about under the waterfall.

8km from Chapada dos Guimarães, on the edge of an outlook terrace from which there are fine views of the surrounding country, is the Ponto Geodésico, marking the geographical center of South America.

As sponsored by VISA